Law Office of Alan Tysinger

Do you need a lawyer for a workers' comp settlement?


In Texas, an employee is not eligible for a true “settlement” of a workers’ compensation case. All cases are required to have medical coverage for life for the compensable injury. However, disputes frequently come into play over the extent and duration of the injury, including entitlement to income benefits and... Read more →

Lump sum settlements: Accrued benefits with interest

In Texas workers compensation claims, there is a general legal prohibition on lump sum settlements. However, often benefits will be paid in a lump sum under the right circumstances. One of those is following a dispute where benefits were denied. Texas Labor Code 408.081 contains the first stipulation regarding benefit... Read more →

Lump sum settlements in Texas workers compensation law: Settlements vs. Agreements

Texas workers compensation law generally prohibits lump sum settlements and requires that medical benefits stay open for life. However, there are legal guidelines which allow for dealing with disputed issues that can allow resolution of disputes within that framework. First, some terminology. In Texas workers compensation law, a "settlement" is... Read more →

Lump sum settlements in workers compensation cases: Impairment benefits in a lump sum

In Texas, the reforms to the workers compensation laws enacted in 1989 regulate settlement of claims. In the "old law" era pre-1989 Act, a case could be "settled" to end the right to medical care in exchange for a "lump sum" payable to the injured employee, minus attorney's fees. For... Read more →